Computer keyboard with pointer control

Abstract

A computer pointer control device includes a support base and a keyboard. The device includes a structure configured to reduce friction between the support base and an underlying surface. A wrist support is positioned on the support base, configured to receive a user's wrist thereon such that keys of the keyboard are under the fingers of the user's hand, while the user is able to slide the device over the underlying surface by applying lateral pressure to the wrist support. A position tracking mechanism coupled to the device detects horizontal movement of the base over the underlying surface and transmit a signal to an associated computer to control an on-screen pointer. The keyboard includes a column of special use keys between the right- and left-hand keys, for easy access to selected functions.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A computer keyboard, comprising:
 a housing; 
 a first plurality of keys positioned on the housing and arranged for access by a user's left hand; 
 a second plurality of keys positioned on the housing and arranged for access by a user's right hand; and 
 a plurality of special operation keys arranged in a column on the housing between the first plurality of keys and the second plurality of keys, each of the special operation keys having a height that is different from a height of any of the first and second pluralities of keys positioned in a same row with the respective special operation key. 
 
     
     
       2. The keyboard of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of special operation keys has a height that is greater than a height of any of the first and second pluralities of keys positioned in the same row with the respective special operation key. 
     
     
       3. The keyboard of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of special operation keys has a height that is less than a height of any of the first and second pluralities of keys positioned in the same row with the respective special operation key. 
     
     
       4. The keyboard of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of special operation keys that is positioned behind another of the special operation keys of the column has a height that is greater than a height of any of the other of the special operation keys. 
     
     
       5. The keyboard of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of special operation keys is configured to activate a function selected from among: Esc, Back Space, Tab, Shift, Ctrl, Alt, Delete, Insert, Home, End, Page up, and Page down. 
     
     
       6. The keyboard of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of special operation keys is configured to activate a standard keyboard function. 
     
     
       7. The keyboard of  claim 1  wherein a function activated by each of the plurality of special operation keys is selectable by an operator. 
     
     
       8. A computer keyboard, comprising:
 a housing; 
 a plurality of keys positioned on the housing and arranged for access by a user, and including a home-row of keys a majority of which correspond to letters of the alphabet; and 
 a toggle key configured such that when the toggle key is struck, selected ones of the home row of keys are reconfigured to correspond to numbers, and that when the toggle key is struck again, the keys are reconfigured to their original configuration. 
 
     
     
       9. The keyboard of  claim 8  wherein keys of the home row correspond to the letters A, S, D, F, G, H, J, K, and L. 
     
     
       10. The keyboard of  claim 8  operation of the toggle key is controlled by software provided with the keyboard and executed by a computer processor to which the keyboard is coupled.